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In this episode, we perceive the comfort in alternatives, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 392, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. The verse is situated in the coastal regions of ‘Neythal’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, seeking her consent for the nightly tryst, as the man, listens nearby.
கடுஞ் சுறா எறிந்த கொடுந் தாட் தந்தை
புள் இமிழ் பெருங் கடல் கொள்ளான் சென்றென,
மனை அழுது ஒழிந்த புன் தலைச் சிறாஅர்
துணையதின் முயன்ற தீம் கண் நுங்கின்
பணை கொள் வெம் முலை பாடு பெற்று உவக்கும்,
பெண்ணை வேலி, உழை கண் சீறூர்
நல் மனை அறியின், நன்றுமன்தில்ல;
செம்மல் நெஞ்சமொடு தாம் வந்து பெயர்ந்த
கானலொடு அழியுநர் போலாம்- பானாள்,
முனி படர் களையினும் களைப;
நனி பேர் அன்பினர் காதலோரே.
Opening with ‘கடுஞ் சுறா எறிந்த கொடுந் தாட் தந்தை’ meaning ‘father, who hunts powerful sharks, with tremendous effort’, the verse brings before our eyes, an ancient fisherman and the perils in his occupation. Next, we meet ‘புன் தலைச் சிறாஅர்’ meaning ‘young boys with scanty hair on their heads’. A tasty drink teases our taste buds in ‘தீம் கண் நுங்கு’ meaning ‘the sweet fluid within a palmyra fruit’. The phrase ‘செம்மல் நெஞ்சமொடு’ meaning ‘an honourable heart’ characterises the good nature of a person. The verse ends in this same note with the words ‘நனி பேர் அன்பினர் காதலோரே’ meaning ‘a man of great affection, is the one you love!’
The man and lady had been leading a love relationship and the man had been trysting with her by day. As there were lot of disturbances to their tryst during day, he sought the help of the confidante to tryst with the lady by night. When the man came by, where they were, the confidante, intending to know the lady’ opinion on the nightly tryst, says to her, “When their hardworking father, who hunts fierce sharks, refused to take them along to the great seas resounding with bird calls, the soft-haired little boys cried their hearts out at home. Then, consoled by the efforts of their friends, they sought comfort in drinking the sweet milk of the palmyra fruit, akin to a child suckling at a mother’s breast. Such scenes are to be seen in our little hamlet, fenced by palm trees. Wouldn’t it be good if he were to know the whereabouts of our fine home? He would visit the grove, with his noble heart, and part away, crushed. Maybe, he would instead arrive at midnight and slay your suffering. Indeed, the one you love is someone with such immense kindness!” With these words, the confidante conveys the alternative of a nightly tryst to the lady and seeks her assent to further the love relationship between the lady and the man.
Time to delve into the details! The confidante begins by talking about a father who goes hunting in the seas, intending to harpoon sharks, and bring back the rich catch home. As he’s about to set out on his journey, his little boys cry wanting to go along with him. Like a sensible father, he says no to the boys, and leaves them behind. These boys throw a tantrum at home, no doubt causing headache to their mothers. Then, slowly they come out of that letdown and in the company of their friends, they savour the sweet juice of a palmyra fruit. The confidante equates the boys drinking the palmyra juice to babies suckling at a mother’s breast. She concludes this description by saying such is the little hamlet by the sea, where they live, and that it would be good if the man were to find the way to their house in this town. She adds that although the man comes to the seaside grove with a noble heart, he often leaves, distressed by the disturbances. Perhaps, if he were to arrive at night to the lady’s home, that setback would be overcome. This fine friend of the lady finishes by praising the immense love in the man’s heart for the lady!
In that scene of the boys seeking comfort in the company of friends and drinking palmyra milk when their father refuses their request, the confidante places a metaphor for the alternative of an uninterrupted nightly tryst to overcome the disappointment of disturbances during their tryst by day. The lady, understanding the confidante’s request, would assent to this plan, and in due course, the confidante will take steps to nudge the man to seek the lady’s hand in marriage. The verse shines light on an evergreen attitude that has propelled humans forward over the eons – The acceptance of things beyond one’s control and seeking new paths to fulfilment!
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